Russian Court Permanently Revokes Driver's Licence Over Stimulant Addiction

A court in Khabarovsk has permanently revoked a resident's driver's licence after diagnosing a psychoactive stimulant addiction. The decision was made to protect public safety, marking a rare case in the region. Legal appeals later failed to overturn the ruling.

The resident had been under psychiatric supervision for what officials described as psychoactive stimulant dependence syndrome. Despite this, they continued to hold a valid licence until the court intervened. The ruling stated that allowing the individual to drive posed a risk to others.

The resident challenged the decision, taking the case to both appellate and cassation courts. Both higher courts reviewed the evidence and upheld the original verdict. No further legal options remain. This appears to be an unusual case for the Khabarovsk Region. Official records show no other driver's licences revoked for the same reason in the past two years. However, another local resident was previously caught trying to obtain a licence using forged medical documents. The court's final order confirmed the termination of driving privileges. Authorities emphasised that the move was necessary to prevent potential harm on the roads.

The resident can no longer drive legally in Russia. The case sets a precedent for how stimulant addiction may affect driving rights in the region. No similar revocations have been recorded since 2024.